jbronderbookreviews

Good Intentions (The Road to Salvation – 3) by Pembroke Sinclair

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Katie has been through Hell—literally—and discovered that it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. In fact, she kind of enjoyed it. She got to be with Josh, found out about her past, and discovered who she wanted to be as a person. Katie didn’t care that her actions went against social norms. She was happy.

But things are changing—again. Wes has come back into her life, and that can only mean trouble. His presence threatens to unravel her new-found happiness. She can’t allow that. She won’t let him back in. Yet, Katie can’t push him away.

Thrown back into a state of confusion and uncertainty, Katie is once again forced to pick sides, and in the process, she may lose herself.

Katie has things figured out. She knows about her history, she loves Josh and he loves her, and she doesn’t think it’s so bad working for Hell collecting souls. But then Wes comes back and tries to tell her that she has been lied to. Katie thought she was over Wes, but why does what he said make her start questioning things?

Then there is Josh and Braden. They seem to be keeping a tight watch on Katie and Deb. Katie initially thinks it’s to keep her safe but the more she thinks about Wes it seems like something else. Katie has basically decided what she wants to do and seems to be cutting everyone out of her life except Josh. But can she believe what she is told?

I loved this book. It’s a great end to the other two books. I was screaming at Katie to wake up so many times. But I know she has to go through everything to find the truth. I loved how things progressed and Wes, I have to say that I really started liking him.

I don’t know if there are going to be more books in this series. If not I liked how Good Intentions ended, but it ended like there could be more. Anyway, The Road to Salvation is a great series with a twist on the good vs. evil theme. I recommend reading them in order since they read back to back.

For more information on Good Intentions or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Pembroke Sinclair’s website.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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The Ones We Trust by Kimberly Belle

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) A moving and evocative exploration of grief and guilt in the wake of one family’s devastating loss.

Beyond the buried truths and betrayals, questions of family loyalty and redemption, Abigail’s search is, most of all, a desperate grasp at carrying on and coping — and seeking hope in the impossible.

Abigail used to be a reporter, but a story she wrote three years prior burned her badly. She now hides in a safe job. But a chance encounter leads her to Gabe, the brother of a soldier that had given his life in Afghanistan. Gabe has his own problems with PTSD and lives as a recluse. But when Abigail finds a note on her porch with the events that really happened behind Zach’s death she finds herself falling back into a reporter’s life and wanting to give out the real details.

Unfortunately it seems that the powers that be want to keep that information secret and will go about any length to do so. But with Gabe and his mother encouraging Abigail, she will keep fighting to get the information out there. Along the way Gabe and Abigail may also find a way to heal from their pasts.

I really enjoyed this story. I felt bad for Abigail. Here she is trying to get over the loss of her reporting career. But she just can’t completely stand back and let the truth get buried. And Gabe, poor sweet damaged Gabe. How can you not hope and pray for the best with him and Abigail.

This is a great story that you will like. It has a lot on a very touchy subject. The war in Afghanistan is such a hard topic with so many people both agreeing with it and hating it at the same time. And it’s so easy to forget about the soldiers and their families and everything that they face. I recommend this to anyone that is looking for a great mystery and a wonderful romance with both people being damaged and untrusting.

For more information on The Ones We Trust or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Kimberly Belle’s website.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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The God Thought by Dave Cravens

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) “A MASSIVE EXPLOSION… levels a small town in Kansas and rips apart the commercial airliner flying overhead. The wife and child of Oliver Wells are among the thousands reported dead. Authorities blame the tragedy on an accident at a fertilizer plant not up to code. A year later, still grappling with his depression, Oliver is accosted by a mysterious stranger who offers another answer: A FARMER CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. AN EXPLOSION BORN OF THOUGHT. A THOUGHT SO PERFECT AND DIVINE IT’S SAID TO MIRROR WHAT GOD THOUGHT TO CONCEIVE THE UNIVERSE. Thrust into a hidden world of conspirators and luminaries who would do anything to attain the farmer’s knowledge, Oliver finds himself in a race to confront the man who killed his family. To do so, he must test the limits of his sanity… AND UNLOCK THE POWER OF THE GOD THOUGHT FOR HIMSELF.”

Oliver lost his wife and child and a strange explosion a year earlier. He is suffering from depression and doesn’t really know what to do. He then learns that the explosion was not cause from a fertilizer plan but from a farmer. Oliver decides to find the farmer and to learn about The God Though. He is then introduced to a cob driver that gives him the option to go back to his life or to proceed to the farmer. Oliver proceeds but just like Alice going through that door, his life is not going to be the same.

This is not your typical sci-fi story. It ready like a thriller and keeps you wanting more. It reminds me of the Matrix where the more he learns the further Oliver has to go. There is a lot of action and lots twists and turns. When you think that you might know what is going on, you are off in another direction.

This is a great story that you HAVE to read. It doesn’t matter if you are someone that likes sci-fi or not. It is written to please everyone. Make sure to get yourself a copy of The God Thought, you will not be disappointed.

For more information on The God Thought or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Dave Cravens’ website.

I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Imaginary Things by Andrea Lochen

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Watching children play and invent whimsical games of fantasy is one of life’s great joys. But what if you could actually see your child’s imagination as it unfolded? And what would you do if your child’s imagination suddenly became dark and threatening?

Living next door is Jamie Presswood, Anna’s childhood friend who’s grown much more handsome and hardened than the boy she once knew. But past regrets and their messy lives are making the rekindling of their complex friendship prove easier said than done. Between imaginary creatures stalking her son and a tumultuous relationship with David’s biological father, Anna may find it impossible to have room in her life or her heart for another man. But as David’s visions become more threatening, Anna must learn to differentiate between which dangers are real and which are imagined, and whom she can truly trust.

Anna is a single mother and has just lost her job. She decides to move back home with her grandparents since they were the rock in her younger life and she figures that her son David could use the same calm. But things take an interesting turn when she can start seeing David’s imaginary friends, two dinosaurs. While trying to figure out what this means for David, Anna realizes this also has something to do with her own childhood and her relationship with her mother.

Then her childhood friend Jamie returns home to take care of his mother. Anna and Jamie want to rekindle their friendship and be more but there are a lot of things standing in Anna’s way, like her abusive ex-husband. Anna has a hard time trying to be the mother that David needs along with having her own happiness with Jamie. She also learns more about her own childhood.

This is an amazing story. I admit that although I do review several contemporary romances it’s not one of my preferred genera. But I just loved this book. I felt for Anna, things just seem to be stacked against her at every turn and she constantly tries to do the best for David. I liked her ability to see David’s imaginary friends, what better way to figure out how your child feels when they can’t seem to verbally express their feelings.

I even liked the romance with Jamie. You can’t help cheering Anna to keep working with Jamie. She had so much happen to her from Patrick that I could feel how hesitant she was. But in the end it will work out.

This is an amazing book. It would be considered a contemporary romance but don’t let that stop you if this is not your usual genera. You will not be disappointed.

For more information on Imaginary Things or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Andrea Lochen’s website.

I received this book fro free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Devil’s Harbor by Alex Gilly

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Nick Finn and his partner and brother-in-law, Diego Jimenez, are used to rough water. As Marine Interdiction Agents for Customs and Border Protection, the two hunt drug smugglers, human traffickers, and other criminals who hide in the vastness of the waters surrounding southern California.

Then Diego is murdered–and Finn is the number-one suspect. As he races to find the real killer and save his marriage, Finn is forced to partner with Linda Blake, the desperate captain of the Pacific Belle and mother of Lucy, a very sick little girl, to attempt the one thing he has devoted his life to stopping.

In order to clear his name and save a child’s life, Finn must smuggle narcotics by sea into the United States…and avoid the net that his CBP colleagues have cast for him.

Nick and Diego patrol the southern California coast for drugs and other illegal events. One night while on patrol they come across a phantom ship that refuses to stop for them. After a shootout and the discovery of a shark eaten body things go bad fast.

Nick starts drinking, he loses someone close to him, he becomes suspect number one in that person’s death, and then his wife leaves over his drinking. Nick has to get dirty to try and save his life along with numerous others. Can he save lives, quit drinking, and salvage his marriage?

This is an amazing first book. I instantly got into the story. I never thought about border patrol in the waters of California, I guess I always think Miami Vice. Nick gets into trouble then he becomes suspect number one, I felt bad for the guy but I also wanted to slap him upside the head the deeper he crawls into the bottle. But what he has to do to turn everything around is just impressive.

I really enjoyed Devil’s Harbor. I can’t wait for other books in this series. This is one thriller that you have to add to your reading list.

For more information on Devil’s Harbor or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Dealing with Devils (The Road to Salvation – 2) by Pembroke Sinclair

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Dating a demon has its advantages, like helping deliver souls to Hell. Wait…what?

Katie’s world has been turned upside down. She’s fallen for Josh—despite the fact that he’s a demon from Hell. Wes is finally out of her system and her life. Convinced she can change Josh, she sets out to make him a better person, only to find out things aren’t as simple as she’d originally thought. For one thing, Josh has Katie help him deliver souls to Hell, and she kind of likes it. And to top it off, other more powerful demons are battling for her soul, and revelations from the past could change the course of her life forever.

Katie has fallen for Josh and has left Wes behind. Josh has Katie help him deliver souls and she finds she really likes it. That dark spot on her soul that Josh and Wes could see is starting to find its place in the story. Now Katie has to learn how to fight back against those that want her soul. Plus she believes that she can still help Josh.

This book takes the typical second book in a series problems and blows them out of the water. You will learn a lot more about Katie and what is going on. I loved the descriptions of angels and demons and the history. I have to say that I loved the twist with Katie and I can’t wait to see how that works out.

This is a great series that I strongly recommend. The second book is better than the first but you do need that information to make book two pop. I can’t wait to read Good Intentions.

For more information on Dealing with Devils or to purchase this book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Pembroke Sinclair’s website.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Timothy Other: The Boy Who Climbed the Marzipan Mountain by L. Sydney Abel

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) 12 year-old adventurer, the intriguingly named Timothy Other, escapes the Dreams and Hopes Orphanage and travels to the bizarre world of Marzipan Mountain, where he befriends some amazing creatures. With the help of his friends, Timothy seeks to discover his true origins and returns to the Orphanage. He becomes embroiled in a matter of life and death and faces the evil forces that crave the secret of ‘Golden Life’.

Timothy is an orphan living at the Dreams and Hopes Orphanage. Things are not really going well there and Timothy makes an escape. While on his adventure he meets several different characters and goes on many adventures. All the while Timothy learns more about his life then returns to the orphanage.

I really enjoyed this story. Timothy goes on such adventures and meets strange characters. He is trying to find out more about his past. But that is not that only thing that he finds. I loved the different locations he finds himself. It kind of reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

In the end most of our questions are answered but there are some that are left open and I think that there could be a sequel. I do think that this would be better geared to mid-grade readers but I think that for the most part anyone that does read Timothy Other would like it.

In the end I enjoyed this book and I think that kids would really like it too.

For more information on Timothy Other or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and L. Sydney Abel’s website.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Crazy Mountain Kiss (Sean Stranahan Mystery – 4) by Keith McCafferty

5 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) In the latest addition to this acclaimed series, PI Stranahan and Sheriff Ettinger reunite to investigate a young girl’s death

It’s April, but there’s still snow on the Montana mountains the day a member of the Madison River Liar and Fly Tiers club finds a Santa hat in the chimney of his rented cabin. With the flue clogged and desperate to make a fire, he climbs up to the roof, only to find the body of a teenage girl wedged into the chimney. When Sheriff Martha Ettinger and her team arrive to extract the body they identify the victim as Cinderella “Cindy” Huntingdon, a promising young rodeo star, missing since November.

Was Cindy murdered? Or running for her life—and if so, from whom? Cindy’s mother, Etta, hires private detective Sean Stranahan to find out. Jasper Fey, the girl’s stepfather, believes moving on is the only way to heal. But Etta’s not willing to let it go, and neither are Sean or Martha, who find clues to the death in the mysterious legends of the Crazy Mountains. The fourth book in McCafferty’s mystery series features a brisk, savvy plot and charming yet authentic characters—perfect for fans of C. J. Box and Craig Johnson.

In April, a young woman’s body is found stuffed in a chimney. She is Cindy, an upcoming rodeo star that disappeared last November with a ranch hand. Because of her disappearance the police don’t really know how to treat this case. Cindy’s mother just can’t let it go that someone happened and is refereed to Sean Stranahan.

Sean is laid back and hates technology. He investigates the lives of various characters from the rodeo crowd, ranchers, and many others. He meets some good folk and others that could be considered an odd duck. His relationship with Martha also keeps things interesting for his investigation.

I admit that this is my first Sean Stranahan book. I’m sure if I would have read the other three in the series it would have made more sense about Sean’s relation to Martha. But I didn’t feel very lost jumping into book four. This is a casual mystery, it’s not as fast paced as other books but it does remind me of the Longmire series. After you get into the book a little ways it does pick up.

I grew up in Montana so it was interesting to me to read about it. I did laugh because you will find all kinds of people there, just like Sean meet in the book. Sean was a great laid back character. I also felt so bad for Etta; you can’t help but feel bad for her wanting to know what happened to Cindy.

This is a really great mystery. There is a great story and wonderful characters. I will definitely be checking out the first three books in this series.

For more information on Crazy Mountain Kiss or to purchase this book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Keith McCafferty’s website.

I received this book for free from Viking and Penguin Books in exchange for an honest review.

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